Truss



June 15 1926. 1588,824

W. H. VAN MEER 'muss Filed August e) *1925 Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM I-I. VAN MEER, 0F LONGTON, KANSAS.

Application le. August 6, 1923.

My invention relates to improvements in rupture appliances and has for its object the cure of either single or double hernia. One feature of the invention resides in one or more hollow segmental spherical pads adapted to fit over the affected parts, and owing to the shape of said pads and the manner in which they are supported are reliably held in place irrespective of the position which the wearer may assume. Y

Another feature resides in the supporting means for the pad or pads, said supporting means being adjustable to lit diferent size persons.

Other features will hereinafter appear, and in order that the invention may be fully uiderstood, reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows the appliance in position upon the body and arranged for double herma.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the pad and an arm to which it is adjustably connected.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pad.

Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the arms.

In carrying out the invention, I employ a belt 2 consisting, preferably, of a spring .metal band 4 provided at its ends with straps 6, one of which has a buckle 8, so that the belt 2 may be adjusted to persons of diiferent sizes.. The band 4 is covered with suitable cushioning material as leather 10 to render it comfortable to the body.

12 designates a pad constituting an iinportant feature of the invention. Said pad 12 is of suitable material such as hard rubber and is of hollow segmental spherical formation as shown by Figs. 2 and 3. The pad 12 has a centrally-disposed slot 14, and eX terior grooves 16, any of which are adapted to receive lugs 18 at the slotted end 20 of a metallic arm 22. The foregoing arrangement permits the pad 12 to be adjustably connected to the arm 22, so that said pad 12 may be arranged at different angles to tit the curvature of the abdomen. Aft-er being properl. adjusted the pad 12 is secured to the ann 22 y a screw 24 and a nut 2G which latd ter has an elongated head 28. The o jposte end of the arm 22 is pivotally secure to the TRUSS. 4 u 'I Serial No. 655,868.

metal band 4 of the belt 2 by a screw 29 and a nut 30,. the end of the arm being provided with radial eorrugations 31 for coengagement with similar corrugations on the band 4 to reliably hold the arm 22 from turning on the screw 29 after the nut 30 has been tightened. The pad 12 is further held in position upon the wearer by straps 32 fixed at their upper ends to the metallic band 4 of the belt 2 and provided at their lower ends 'with slots 33, any of which are adapted to pass over the nut 26 and be secured by turning said nut a quarter of a re-volution, so that the projecting ends of the head 28 will overlap the sides of the engaged slot.

In case of double hernia two pads 12 and two arms 22 are employed, as shown by Fig. 1. When two pads 12 are employed as shown, a strap 34 is used to coact with the arms 22 and straps 8O in holding the pads 12 in spaced relation to each other. In case of single hernia one pad 12 and one arm 22 are dispensed with and both straps are connected to the remaining pad 12 by the nut 26.

A truss made according to the above explained invention, will invariably remain in its proper position when the patient is walking, sitting, or stooping over and will not exert annoying pressure at any particular lace.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of the invention, I reserve the right to make such changes as properly `fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I vclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a rupture appliance, a hollowI seg- `mental spherical pad having a central slot and exterior grooves spaced at opposite sides of said slot, an arm having a longitudinal slot adjacent to one end and lugs spaced at opposite sides of said slot for entering the grooves in the pad and permit the same to be adjusted to different angles to tit the abdomen, a headed screw extending through the slots in the pad and said arm, a nut engaging said screw and having an elongated head to overla' the slotted portion of the arm to hold t e saine and the pad in assembled positions and means coacting with said grin in holding the pad in position on the person.

2. In a rupture appliance, a pair of hollow pads, a belt, a pair of upwardly diverg- 5 ing arms pivotally Connected to the belt and having corrugati ons engaging complementary corrugatons on said belt, a pair of upwardly diverging` straps pivotally Connected to the belt, a transverse strap, und an element eX- tending` through each pad and ucljustably 10 connecting thereto the adjacent ends 01"' said arms and said straps.

In testimony whereof' I nfix iny signature.

VILLIAM H. VAN MEER. 

